University of Oregon and University of Utah Top D.A. Davidson & Co.'s Student Investment Program

D.A. Davidson awards over $27,000 to top performing universities

GREAT FALLS, Mont., Nov 12, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
D.A. Davidson & Co., the largest full-service investment firm based in
the Northwest, has awarded more than $27,000 to the top performing
colleges and universities that participate in the company's Student
Investment Program. This represents nine schools' portfolio performances
that exceeded 5 percent: University of Oregon, University of Utah,
Seattle University, Oregon State University, University of Montana,
Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Westminster College
and the University of Idaho.

"As the Student Investment Program enters its 29th year, we
are thrilled with the continued enthusiasm surrounding the program,"
said Dustin Brumbaugh, Director of Research for D.A. Davidson's
Individual Investor Group. "While we are excited to give back more than
$27,000 to the top performing schools, D.A. Davidson is also committed
to the program's mission to provide a financial literacy training tool
for the next generation."

For the 2012-2013 school year, the University of Oregon student team had
the program's top-performing portfolio, earning over 48.2 percent on its
$50,000 investment. That compares with a 13.1 percent gain for the Dow
Jones Industrial Average and a 16.1 percent return on the S&P 500 index
during the same period. The university will receive $10,804.12 from
Davidson.

"D.A. Davidson's SIP has given the University of Utah the opportunity to
engage students in managing a real portfolio," said Elizabeth Tashjian,
Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Utah. "Experiential
learning makes a real difference. Students connect material in new ways
and internalize lessons in a way that doesn't happen in a paper and
pencil exercise."

The other top-performing portfolios were from the University of Utah,
with a 33.7 percent return, and Seattle University, with a 21.5 percent
gain.

About the Student Investment Program

Since the program's inception in 1985, D.A. Davidson has awarded more
than $400,000 to Northwest- and Rocky Mountain-based colleges and
universities through its Student Investment Program. The program
provides hands-on education in finance, stock research, portfolio
management and other investment issues to upper-level college students.

Davidson's Student Investment Program provides student teams from
participating schools with $50,000 each to invest over the year. During
the 2012-2013 school year, 20 schools in seven states participated, with
a total of $1,000,000 provided by Davidson. Each student team makes
investment decisions under the guidance of a local D.A. Davidson
financial advisor. At the end of the school year, the top-performing
student teams receive a check on behalf of their college. The amount
equals half of the portfolio gains above 5 percent. If the returns are
negative D.A. Davidson absorbs any student losses.

About D.A. Davidson & Co.

Founded 78 years ago, D.A. Davidson (http://www.davidsoncompanies.com/dc/)
is the largest full-service investment firm based in the West. D.A.
Davidson provides a range of investment and financial services and
products to individual, institutional, corporate and nonprofit investors
nationwide. An experienced research staff provides analysis to
individual and institutional investors, and the firm is a regional
leader in public and corporate finance.

D.A. Davidson is a subsidiary of employee-owned Davidson Companies, a
financial services company with more than 1,100 employees working in 22
states and $34.5 billion in client assets under management and
administration. Davidson Companies also operates Davidson Investment
Advisors, a professional asset management firm; Davidson Trust Co., a
trust and wealth management firm; and Davidson Fixed Income Management,
a registered investment adviser providing fixed income portfolio
management.

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